Cable bracket apparatus

ABSTRACT

The cable bracket mechanism is extendable between a cleat or clamp mounted to a building and a part of a bay or bow window that is remote from the building. The mechanism includes an elongated bracket having a a flange at one end extending about right angles to the main body and a reversely curved hook portion at the other end that is joined to the main body and is extended into a second bracket opening, a cable having one end connected to a building and at its opposite end to a stud extended through an aperture in the flange, the second bracket being mounted to the window, and a fastener threadable on the stud to bear against the flange for adjusting the tension in the cable.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/832,695, filedApr. 27, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates apparatus for adjusting the tension in a cablethat is being used in supporting other structure, for example bay andbow windows of a building.

At the present, there are devices that are mountable to a building formounting one end portions of cables while the opposite end portions ofthe cables are attached to a load, for example bay and bow windows, toaid in supporting such a load in a desired condition.

In order to provide novel devices that are relatively inexpensive andusable to adjust the tension in a cable or a rope that is at leastpartially supporting a load, this invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cable bracket mechanism includes an elongated bracket having aflange at one end that generally extends at right angles to the mainbody of the bracket for having one end portion of a cable stud connectedthereto and a hook portion at the opposite end of the main body forbeing connected through suitable mechanism to a load being supported.The other end of the cable is attached to a building by suitable means,for example by a cable clamp or cleat. The bracket and stud permitadjusting the tension in the cable.

An object of this invention is to provide new and novel means foradjusting the tension in a cable or rope that is utilized in supportinga load from a supporting structure. A further object of this inventionis to provide new and novel cable bracket apparatus that is usable forat least partially supporting structure such as a bay or bow window andpermitting easily making an adjustment to obtain a desired elevationand/or leveling of such windows. A still further object of the inventionis to provide a new and novel bracket that is usable in conjunction witha cable for supporting structure such as a bay or bow window andfacilitating the adjustment of tension in the cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic showing of the use of the firstembodiment of the cable bracket apparatus of this invention forsupporting a bay window, only parts of the bay window being shown;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the first embodiment of the bracket andstructure that is connected to opposite ends of the bracket, said viewbeing taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view that is generally taken along the line andin the direction of the arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross sectional view of the threaded stud of thefirst embodiment that is extended through an aperture in the bracketflange, said view being generally taken along the line and in thedirection of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view that is generally the same as that ofFIG. 4 other than it is of a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view bracket of the third embodiment of the inventionhooked to an eye bracket;

FIG. 7 is an edge view of the bracket of FIG. 6 that is taken along theline and in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end portion of the bracket of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there isdiagrammatically shown a cable clamp or cleat 11 mounted by nails orscrews 12 to an exterior wall 13 or to an overhanging part (not shown)of a building, for example a house, above a bow or a bay window 14 whichis generally shown in outline other than for the dotted line showing ofa mullion 14A, a seat board 14B, and a top board 14C of the window. Themullions 14A are remote from the house exterior wall. Rods and/or cables18 are extended downwardly through the mullions while suitable fasteners17, for example washers and nuts are mounted to the lower ends of therods in supporting relationship to the seat boards.

For connecting the upper end of the rods to the clamps or cleats 11,there is provided the cable bracket mechanism, generally designated 20,of the first embodiment of this invention. The cable bracket mechanismincludes an elongated flexible cable 22 which may be made of twistedmetal strands and has one end portion secured to the exterior wall by acable clamp or cleat 11 while the opposite end of the cable is extendedinto an axial bore (not shown) in the non-threaded end portion 20 of anaxially elongated metal stud, generally designated 23. The cable issuitably joined to the stud, for example by a swaging operation.

The end portion of the stud opposite the cable is threaded atdiametrically opposed threaded parts 24 while diametrically opposedflats 25 extend between the diametric threaded parts. The threaded endportion of the stud is extended through an oblong cable stud aperture 27that extends longitudinally through the flange 28 at one end of alongitudinally elongated bracket B of the first embodiment of theinvention, the aperture being sufficiently spaced from the main body 29whereby a nut 35 may be threaded thereon. Advantageously, the aperture27 is of a size and shape to permit the stud threaded portion beingmoved through the aperture along the axial length thereof whilepreventing the stud being rotated relative to the flange.

The bracket B has the main body 29 that for the majority of its lengthis rectangular, has transversely spaced longitudinal edges 29E and is ofa longitudinal length many times greater than its transverse width whichin turn is many times greater than its thickness. The flange is at onelongitudinal end of the bracket and is joined to one longitudinal endportion of the bracket main body 29 to extend at generally right anglesthereto. The longitudinally opposite end portion of the main bodybecomes progressively more narrow along bracket end part 29A in adirection away from the flange. The main body has a generally planarsurface 29C extending transversely between the main body longitudinaledges 29E from at least the narrow end part 29A to the flange and anopposite planar surface 29B that extends longitudinally from the narrowend part to the main body end portion to which the flange is joined. Thenarrow end part of the main body is integrally joined to the hookportion 30 which is reversely curved relative to the narrow end part.The hook portion opens in a direction generally toward an extension ofthe flange on the opposite side of the main body from which the flangeextends to provide an eye bolt (bracket) opening 32C and has it terminaledge 30A being the opposite end of the bracket. Thus, the hook portionis curved such that after extending longitudinally away from the mainbody, is curved to extend further away from the plane of the planarsurfaces of the main body in a direction opposite the direction that theflange extends away from the main body planar surfaces and extends atleast somewhat longitudinally toward the flange. Accordingly, at leastpart of one of the narrow end part 29A and the hook portion are inoverlapping relationship to the free terminal transverse edge 30A of thehook portion which is spaced from the main body surface 29B. Theterminal edge 30A in a longitudinal direction is more closely adjacentto the main body and the flange 28 than the part 30B of the hook portionthat in a longitudinal direction is the most remote from the main bodyand flange.

The hook portion is extendable through the opening 31A in the leg 30B ofthe eye bracket 31. The eye bracket leg 31B is joined to eye bracket leg31C which extends at an obtuse angle to leg 31B, for example about 160to 105 degrees. The leg 31C is mounted to the window board 14C by havingthe rod extended though a rod aperture (not shown) in leg 31C and isremovably retained in a mounted relationship thereto by fasteners suchas a nut 33 threaded on the top end of the rod 18 to retain a washer 32in abutting relationship to the member 14C of the window.

In using the apparatus of this invention, the eye bracket is attached tothe window top board with the rod 18 extended through the rod apertureand the washer 32 and nut 33 mounted on the rod, the bracket hookportion is extended through the eye bracket aperture 31A, the threadedend portion of the stud is extended through the flange aperture and anut 35 is threaded on the threaded end portion of the stud to beintermediate the flange and the bracket hook portion with there being alock washer 37 between the flange and nut 35 and the free end portion ofthe cable attached to the wall 13 by the clamp and cleat 11 to retainthe cable in a taut condition. Thereafter, the nut 35 is furtherthreaded on the stud to increase the tension in the cable, or unthreadedan appropriate amount to decrease the tension in the cable, dependingwhat is required to support the window in the desired condition. Withmore than one cable bracket mechanism being utilized, appropriateadjustments are made in each of the cable bracket mechanism used untilthe window is supported in a level condition at the elevation asdesired.

Advantageously, the bracket B is formed integrally as a single unitaryunit. In place of the eye brackets being mounted to the rods 18, the eyebrackets may be mounted to the window remote from the wall 13 by screws(not shown) extended through apertures in the eye bracket leg 31C.Additionally, instead of the narrow end part extending at an anglerelative to the main body such as shown in FIG. 3, it may be at least inpart a planar continuation of the rectangular portion of the main body,or as another alternative, the hook portion may be joined to therectangular, planar main body portion and progressively curve toinitially extend longitudinally away from the flange in a directionopposite that from which the flange extends away from the main body andthence in a direction toward an extension of the flange away from themain body on the opposite side of the main body from which the flangeextends while at the same time being of a much narrower dimension thanthe transverse dimension of the main body rectangular portion. Also, inplace of the threaded portion of the stud having flats and the bracketflange aperture being of a shape such as shown in FIG. 4, the secondembodiment of the stud 40 and bracket E of the cable bracket mechanismmay be the same as that of FIGS. 1-4 other than that the threadedportion 40A of the stud 40 is circular whereby the thread extendscontinuously helically around the stud, and the aperture 41 of thebracket flange 42 is circular and of a slightly larger diameter than themaximum diameter of the threaded portion.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the bracket F of the third embodiment of theinvention has a main body 50 that for the majority of its length isrectangular, has transversely spaced longitudinal edges 50A, 50B and isof a longitudinal length greater than its transverse width which in turnis many times greater than its thickness. A flange 51 is joined to onelongitudinal end portion of the bracket main body 50 to extend atgenerally right angles thereto or slightly less than 90 degrees, forexample 83 to 85 degrees. The longitudinally opposite end portion of themain body is integrally joined to one end portion of the bracket hookend portion 52. The main body and hook portion have coextensivegenerally planar surfaces 50C extending transversely between the mainbody longitudinal edges 50A, 50B and the hook portion longitudinal edges52F, 52H from closely adjacent to the flange to the longitudinallyopposite end 52E of the bracket.

The hook portion at its juncture to the main body is substantially thesame transverse width as the main body and thence is of a narrow widthto extend longitudinally away from the flange along portion 52A andthence is reversely curved along portion 52B to extend longitudinallyback toward the main body. The terminal edge part 52C of the reverselycurved portion that is the most remote from its juncture to thelongitudinal portion 52A in a longitudinal direction is more closelyadjacent to the main body and the flange 51 than the part 52E of thehook portion that in a longitudinal direction is the most remote fromthe main body and flange. The part 52E is the end of the bracket F thatis longitudinally most remote from the flange.

The hook portion provides a slot (eye bolt opening) 53 that openstransversely outwardly in a transverse direction opposite the extensionof main body edge 50B and transverse edge 52F, is longitudinallyelongated in a direction away from the flange 51 and extendslongitudinally more remote from the flange than part 52C and itstransversely outwardly opening which is transversely remote from thelongitudinal portion 52A. Thus, the slot is somewhat J-shaped.

The flange 51, which is at one longitudinal end of the bracket, isprovided with a stud aperture 55 extending longitudinally therethrough.The aperture 55 may be circular similar to that shown in FIG. 5, ornon-circular, for example similar to that shown in FIG. 4, dependingupon the cross sectional shape of the stud to be extended therethrough.

Advantageously, the bracket F is formed integrally as a single unitaryunit. The hook portion 52A is extendable through the eye bolt opening 58in the leg 57B of the eye bracket 57. The eye bracket leg 57B is joinedto eye bracket leg 57A which extends at an obtuse angle to leg 57B, forexample about 160 to 105 degrees. The leg 57A is mounted to the windowboard 14C in a similar manner to that described relative to thestructure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

1. For aiding in supporting from a supporting structure, one of a baywindow and a bow window in at least one of a level condition and at adesired elevation from a location spaced from the supporting structure,cable bracket mechanism comprising an elongated bracket having a firstend, a longitudinally opposite end, a longitudinally elongated main bodythat has a first end portion, a longitudinally opposite second endportion, a first transverse surface extending longitudinally between themain body first and second end portions and an opposite secondtransverse surface extending longitudinally between the main body firstand second end portions, a flange joined to the main body first endportion to extend at about right angles away from the first transversesurface and being at the bracket first end, the flange having a cablestud aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, and a curved hookportion having the bracket second end and being integrally joined to themain body second end portion to extend longitudinally away the main bodyin a direction longitudinally away from the flange and thence reverselycurved for providing an eye bolt opening.
 2. The cable bracket mechanismof claim 1 wherein there is an elongated stud that has a first endportion extendable through the aperture and a second end portion and anelongated flexible cable having a first end portion joined to the studsecond end portion, a nut threadable on the stud first end portionopposite the flange from the stud second end portion and an eye brackethaving a first portion with an opening through which the hook portion isextendable and a second portion and means for securing the eye bracketsecond end portion to the window.
 3. The cable bracket mechanism ofclaim 1 wherein the hook portion is connected to the main body secondend portion to open in a direction generally toward the flange and awayfrom the main body second surface in a direction opposite from thedirection that the flange extends away from the main body.
 4. The cablebracket mechanism of claim 1 wherein the main body has transverselyopposite edges and coextensive planar surfaces extending between theopposite edges from adjacent to the flange to hook portion.
 5. The cablebracket mechanism of claim 1 wherein the hook portion includes alongitudinal portion extending away from the main body in a directionlongitudinally away from the flange and a reversely curved portionjoined to the longitudinal portion remote from the main body to providean eye bolt opening to open transversely outwardly in a direction awayfrom the longitudinal portion.
 6. The cable bracket mechanism of claim 5wherein the main body portion and the hook portion have transverseopposite edges and coextensive planar surfaces extending between theopposite edges, and the eye bolt opening extends more remote from theflange than the reversely curved portion that is longitudinally mostclosely adjacent to the bracket first end.
 7. For aiding in supportingfrom a supporting structure, one of a bay window and a bow window in atleast one of a level condition and at a desired elevation from alocation spaced from the supporting structure, cable bracket mechanismcomprising an elongated bracket having a longitudinally elongated mainbody that has a first end portion, a longitudinally opposite second endportion, a first transverse surface extending longitudinally between themain body first and second end portions and an opposite secondtransverse surface extending longitudinally between the main body firstand second end portions, a flange joined to the main body first endportion to extend at generally right angles away from the firsttransverse surface and a curved hook portion connected to the main bodysecond end portion to open in a direction generally toward the flangeand away from the main body second surface in a direction opposite fromthe direction that the flange extends away from the main body, theflange having a cable stud aperture extending longitudinallytherethrough.
 8. The cable bracket mechanism of claim 7 wherein the mainbody has transversely opposite, longitudinal edges and the surfaces aregenerally planar surfaces extending between the longitudinal edges andlongitudinally from the flange toward the hook portion.
 9. The cablebracket mechanism of claim 7, further characterized in that an elongatedstud that has a first end portion which is at least partiallycircumferentially threaded and is extendable through the aperture and asecond end portion and an elongated flexible cable having a first endportion joined to the stud second end portion and a nut threadable onthe stud first end portion opposite the flange from the stud second endportion.
 10. The cable bracket mechanism of claim 9, furthercharacterized in that it includes an eye bracket having a first portionwith an opening through which the hook portion is extendable and asecond portion and means for securing the eye bracket second end portionto the window.
 11. Cable bracket mechanism that extends between a devicemounted to the building and a bay or bow window for aiding in supportingthe window and facilitating at least one of leveling and adjusting theelevation of the window, comprising an elongated bracket that includes alongitudinally elongated main body having longitudinally opposite firstand second end portions, opposite first and second surfaces extendingbetween the main body first and second end portion, a flange joined tothe main body first end portion to extend at generally right angles awayfrom the main body and a hook portion connected to the main body secondend portion that is curved to open longitudinally generally toward themain body first end portion and in spaced relationship to the secondsurface in a direction opposite of that which the flange extends, theflange having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, anelongated stud having an elongated first end portion that is at leastpartially circumferentially threaded along the length thereof andmovably extended through the flange aperture and a second end portion,an elongated flexible cable having a first end portion connected to thebuilding by the device and a second end portion fixedly mounted to thestud second end portion, means for mounting the hook portion to thewindow remote from the building, said means having an opening for havingthe hook portion removably extended therethrough and fastener meansthreadable on the stud first end portion and abuttable against theflange for adjusting the tension in the cable.
 12. The cable bracketmechanism of claim 11 wherein the main body is of a transverse dimensionthat is many times greater than the transverse dimension of the hookportion.
 13. The cable bracket mechanism of claim 12 wherein the mainbody second end portion is narrower than the first end portion toprovide a narrow end portion joined to the hook portion and is oftransverse dimension that is greater than the corresponding dimension ofthe hook portion.
 14. The cable bracket mechanism of claim 13 whereinthe first and second surfaces are generally planar longitudinallybetween the narrow end part and the flange.